If someone is bitten by a snake, keep them still and calm, call 108, and get them to a government hospital as fast as possible. Antivenom, the only treatment that neutralises venom, is given in hospital. The Union Health Ministry has directed states to keep anti-snake venom on their essential drug lists, with purchases supported under the National Health Mission’s free drugs initiative (NAPSE). Ask for it at the nearest government hospital rather than a private clinic that may not stock it.
The northeast monsoon set in over Tamil Nadu on 15 October. Flooded burrows push snakes into gardens, stairwells, parked two-wheelers and stacked firewood, especially on the city’s edges along the Adyar, the Pallikaranai marsh and the Kosasthalaiyar. Here is what to do, and what not to do.
The snakes that matter
Most snakes in and around Chennai are harmless. Most serious bites in India come from the “Big Four” listed in the national action plan: the spectacled cobra, the common krait, Russell’s viper and the saw-scaled viper. Krait bites deserve special mention because they often happen at night to people sleeping on the floor, may be nearly painless and can be missed until breathing starts to fail. Any suspected bite should go to hospital, even if it looks minor.
India’s toll is heavy. The WHO cites estimates of up to 1.2 million snakebite deaths in India between 2000 and 2019, about 58,000 a year, far higher than official counts. The National Action Plan aims to halve deaths and disabilities from snakebite by 2030.
First aid: what to do
- Move away from the snake. Do not try to catch or kill it. If it is safe, take a photo from a distance to help the doctor.
- Reassure the person and keep them lying or sitting still. Movement spreads venom faster.
- Keep the bitten limb still and at a comfortable level, the way you would steady a fracture.
- Remove rings, bangles, watches, anklets and tight clothing near the bite before swelling begins.
- Call 108, or take the person to the nearest government hospital by vehicle. Do not let them walk or ride a two-wheeler.
- Note the time of the bite and any symptoms: swelling, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, trouble swallowing or breathing, bleeding gums or blood in urine. Tell the doctor.
These steps follow standard first-aid guidance such as the CDC’s, which also advises washing the bite gently and covering it with a clean, dry dressing.
What not to do
- Do not tie a tight band or tourniquet. It can cause serious damage and does not stop venom.
- Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
- Do not apply ice, electric shocks, herbal pastes or other folk remedies.
- Do not wait for symptoms to appear before going to hospital.
- Do not give alcohol, or painkillers such as aspirin, which can make bleeding worse.
- Do not lose time visiting a traditional healer. Every hour counts.
Free treatment in Tamil Nadu
Government hospitals in Tamil Nadu treat snakebite free of charge, and medical college hospitals in Chennai such as Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Stanley, Kilpauk and Royapettah have emergency departments with intensive care for severe cases. Doctors decide on antivenom after checking for signs of envenoming, often with a simple bedside clotting test. Some patients need a ventilator or dialysis, which these hospitals provide.
The free 108 service has run in Tamil Nadu since 2008 with more than 1,300 ambulances, according to a 2024 state press release. Call it rather than flagging a cab, because the crew can stabilise the patient on the way.
Nationally, the Health Ministry asked states in November 2024 to make snakebite cases and deaths notifiable, so hospitals report every case and gaps in antivenom supply show up faster (News On AIR). The NCDC programme page carries the national action plan and treatment protocols for health centres.
Reducing the risk this monsoon
- Keep a torch handy and use it when walking outdoors after dark, especially in gardens, open plots and waterlogged lanes.
- Avoid sleeping on the floor in ground-floor homes in flood-prone areas; use a cot and tuck in mosquito nets.
- Clear debris, firewood, bricks and rubbish away from doorways. Check shoes, helmets and parked scooters before use.
- If a snake enters your home, leave the room, shut the door and call for professional help. Do not try to handle it.
This article is general information. In an emergency, follow the advice of the 108 crew and hospital doctors.
Quick answers
Is anti-snake venom free in Tamil Nadu?
Snakebite treatment is free at government hospitals, which stock antivenom under the state’s essential drugs list.
Should I tie a cloth above the bite?
No. Keep the limb still and get to hospital; tight bands cause harm.
What if no symptoms appear?
Go to hospital anyway. Krait bites in particular may cause few early signs.
Which number should I call?
108 for an ambulance, or 112.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- National Programme for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NCDC, MoHFW)
- National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming, NAPSE (NCDC, MoHFW)
- Centre asks states and UTs to make snakebite cases a notifiable disease (News On AIR)
- Snakebite envenoming fact sheet (World Health Organization)
- Venomous snakes: first aid (US CDC, NIOSH)
- Press release on health department achievements, July 2024 (Government of Tamil Nadu)
